Equality Scheme for Rye Hills Academy

Overview

Equality Act 2010. A single legislation for all forms of discrimination.

Effective from April 2011.

Includes and enhances the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

Covers all stakeholders of the school:
Students, parents, carers, siblings, staff, visitors and extended school users.

Protected Characteristics

Within the Act the different groups covered are described as having a Protected Characteristic. These are:

Disability;

Sex;

Race;

Gender reassignment;

Religion or belief;

Sexual orientation;

Pregnant or recently given birth.

Unlawful Behaviours

The Act describes four types of unlawful behaviour:

Direct Discrimination: one person treats another less favourably because of a protected characteristic;

Indirect Discrimination placing those with a protected characteristic at a disadvantage when compared to those without;

Harassment: unwanted conduct in relation to a relevant protected characteristic which purpose or which effect creates harm in a physical or mental ways;

Victimisation: occurs when a person is treated less favourably because of something they have done in connection to the act.

Disability and the Equality Act

As previously the definition of Disability in respect of the Equality Act is: A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities. (Important “a person does not have to be registered disabled with the Department for Work and Pensions for the equality act to apply in schools”).

Ways forward

In order for the school to comply with the act we need the information regarding the stakeholders of the school. Please follow the link to our secure questionnaires which will allow you to register your details with the school.

This information will only be accessible to the Head Teacher and the academy’s Director of Special Educational Needs and Disability.

(without the information the school cannot be held to account if they inadvertently do not respond to a person’s protected characteristic and that this leads to what maybe perceived as a form of discrimination)

The information received will only be used to ensure that the school continues to adhere to the Act.